Footwear



July 16, 1929. 5, FARNUM 1,720,671

FOOTWEAR Filed April 15, 1927 ooooo D a u u a 6 INVENTOR.

55- FZZ ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 16, 1929.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK S. FARNUM, OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CHURCHILL ANDALDEN COMPANY, OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CHUSETTS.

FOOTWEAR.

Application filed April 15, 1927. Serial No. 183,955.

This invention relates to shoes and similar articles of foot wear forpersons of either sex or any age.

It is a well known fact that a large proportion of the foot troubles nowexistent are the direct result of the defects in foot Wear and the useof inappropriate types or styles thereof, made and assembled without dueand proper regard for foot anatomy and the requirements and necessaryelements to prevent discomfort and foot disorders.

It is therefore the principal purpose of the present invention toproduce a shoe in which a light weight but stiff and rigid shank is usedto support the human foot from ball to back, and at the same time permitthe fore partof the foot to bend or flex naturally.

Further features of advantage and out standing novelty will be found inthe construction of the shoe, one of which resides in the over and oversewing of the uppers together in a plane below the foot, that actseffectively as a support and prevents tearing apart of the uppers, andthe attachment of an outer sole by pegs in a manner to render the shankrigid and light.

These and other objects, which will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds, are accomplished by the novel construction and arrangement ofparts hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawing,forming a material part of this disclosure, and in which:

Fig. l is a bottom plan view of a shoe made in accordance with theinvention, the heel and part of the outer sole being removed.

Fig. 2 is a partial side elevational view of the same parts being brokenaway to show the construction.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the rear part of the shoe showing theheel in position.

Fig. 4 is a partial transverse sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3and drawn to an enlarged scale.

In the accomplishment of this method of shoe construction use is made ofan ordinary wooden last 10, which may or may not be iron clad on itsunder surface to cause clinching of the lasting tacks.

On the last are assembled an inner sole 11, and upper 12, including thevamp 13 with the toe cap 14 and welt 15, all of which parts are lastedin any usual manner.

As shown, the heel seat 16 of the shoe has been lasted by turning thelower edges of the upper inwardly, including the counter 17 and lining18, these elements being held in place by lasting tacks 19.

At the heel seat the adjacent edges of the upper presents a generallyovoidal opening, as at 20, leading towards the front where a narrowspace 21 is produced at the shank, thereafter opening outwardly betweenthe welt element-s 15.

Extending rearwardly from the shank to the space 20, centrally of theshoe and uxtaposed on the outer surface of the inner sole 11 is a steelspring plate 22 cox ered by a leather strip 23 secured in position bylasting tacks 2-1.

Either before or after the end portions of the shoe have been lasted,preferably after, the sides are lasted by drawing the edges of theuppers inwardly towards each other" along the space 21, over the strip23 and passing a strong cord 25 from one side to the other in the mannerof stitches, drawing the edges firmly towards the center of the shoe byover and over sewing.

The cord may used by threading it into the eye of a curved needle orother convcn ient method and both ends secured to prevent loosening ofthe stitches, which as will be noted extend only under the shank of theshoe.

Thereafter an outer sole 26 is secured to the welt and vamp by anypreferred stitching means, and is fastened to the shank by wooden pegs27 arranged in one or more rows, affording a firm rigid attaching means,light in weight and durable in use.

It is to be understood the pegs are driven through the outer sole,leather shank strip and inner sole to become permanently retained, theinner points being removed, thus allowing the pegs to become firmlyfastened, performing their full duty in holding the different partstogether, positively preventing relative slipping of the upper, shank,insole and outsole, and rendering these elements unusually rigid.

The heel 28 is attached over the sole and heel seat in the usual manner,as indicated by the securing means 29.

Although the foregoing is descriptive of the preferred embodiment of theinvention, it Will be apparent that minor changes may be made in itsconstruction, Without the exercise of invention or conflicting With thescope of the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. A shoe comprising an outer sole, an inner sole, a shank stiffenerdisposed on the inner sole, a pliable covering for said stiffener, saidcovering extending from the heel to the outer end of the arch of theshoe adjacent the sole, means for confining the lower edges of the shoeupper over said covering, and an outer sole thereover.

2. A shoe comprising an outer sole, an inner sole, a shank stiffenerdisposed on the inner sole, a pliable covering for said stiflener, saidcovering extending from the heel to the sole below the arch of the shoe,a cord for drawing and confining the lower edges of the shoe uppertightly against said covering, the ends of said cord being secured, anouter sole, and rows of Wooden pegs driven through all of said elementsat the shank portion of the shoe.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

FRANK S. FARNUM.

